As part of its ongoing efforts to crack down on unscrupulous debt collectors, the Federal Trade Commission has accused a North Carolina company of running a “phantom” debt collection scheme that went after people for money that they did not actually owe.The FTC announced today that it had filed a complaint accusing ACDI Group LLC and Solutions to Portfolios …

Last year, I booked a vacation at Sandals Ochi Beach Resort in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, for my pregnant girlfriend and me.After news of the Zika virus broke last January, we contacted Sandals to get a refund for the trip because of the seriousness of the health advisory.The Sandals reps were not swayed, and in an effort to find a solution, we temporarily accepted their idea of pushing the trip back a year, which cost us a fee.[...] concerns about Zika have only intensified.If you cancel 30 to 15 days before arrival, you’ll receive 50 percent of the purchase price, including any applicable airline fees.Sandals and your travel agent probably also recommended travel insurance.Some insurance, such as the pricier, cancel-for-any-reason variety, might have helped you secure a partial refund.[...] most normal insurance, which would have excluded any pre-existing medical conditions, would have been useless.Who should take the financial loss for the Zika outbreak?The company says it agreed to refund your room upgrade fee and a private candlelight dinner you’d paid for.